The Cavalry General by Xenophon
page 18 of 53 (33%)
page 18 of 53 (33%)
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hippodrome, it is his business as commander of the knights to see that
every pageant of the sort is splendidly exhibited. [1] Cf. Theophr. "Ch." vii. (Jebb ad loc. p. 204, n. 25). But these, again, are memoranda.[2] To the question how the several features of the pageant shall receive their due impress of beauty, I will now address myself. [2] Read {tauta men alla upomnemata}, or if with Pantazid. {apla}, trans. "these are simply memoranda." And first to speak of the Processions.[3] These will, I think, be rendered most acceptable to Heaven and to earth's spectators were the riders to ride round the Agora and temples, commencing from the Hermae, and pay honour to the sacred beings, each in turn, whose shrines and statues are there congregated. (Thus in the great Dionysia[4] the choruses embrace their gracious service to the other gods and to the Twelve with circling dance.[5]) When the circuit is completed, and the riders are back again in front of the Hermae, it would add, I think, to the beauty of the scene[6] if at this point they formed in companies of tribes, and giving their horses rein, swept forward at the gallop to the Eleusinion. Nor must I omit to note the right position of the lance, to lessen as far as possible the risk of mutual interference.[7] Each trooper should hold his lance straight between the ears of his charger, which in proportion to the distinctness given to the weapon will rouse terror, and at the same time create a vague idea of multitudinousness.[8] [3] {tas pompas}. See A. Martin, op. cit. 147, 160. |
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